For Professionals

If you have a student or work with an athlete with negative body image issues or who is showing signs of an eating disorder, you may be able to reach out to the individual, their friends and/or their family. Your support and guidance can play a significant role in their healthy recovery. The following are some resources that you may find helpful.

Educators

Teen Truth: An Inside Look at Body Image

This 22 minute documentary film intertwines compelling teen interviews with true stories of young men and women who are struggling to overcome their dangerous fixations on an unhealthy self-image. With a focus on teen performance enhancing drug use and eating disorders, the film challenges youth to think differently about how they see themselves and their peers. The film is accompanied by a curriculum package to stimulate discussion.

National Eating Disorder Association Educators Toolkit
The NEDA Educator Toolkit is a resource for educators and staff who work in a school setting or those who work with youth outside of school. The resource provides information on frequently asked questions, signs and symptoms, as well as tips for communicating with students that are struggling and their parents.

Reflections of Me…The ETFO Body Image Project for Teachers
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario Body Image Project for Teachers is an integrated, research-based, whole-school curriculum package designed for K to 8 classrooms. This program assists teachers in ensuring that children in all elementary grades develop positive body image and self-esteem. The resource can be purchased from ETFO’s online store shopETFO.

Coaches

The NEDA Coach & Trainer Toolkit is a resource for coaches and trainers. The resource provides information on frequently asked questions, signs and symptoms, and tips for communicating with athletes who may be struggling.

“BodySense: A Positive Body Image Initiative for Athletes” is an exciting, innovative and novel approach to building safe and healthy sport environments. This outreach initiative is dedicated to fostering positive body image in male and female athletes to proactively prevent disordered eating and muscle dysmorphia.

Employers

‘Psychological Health and Safety – an Action Guide for Employers”. A very helpful document from the Mental Health Commission of Canada.